US ELECTIONS – The Republican candidate for the White House, Donald Trump, (70), has won the general elections in the US. He secured victory against Democrat Hillary Clinton, the frontrunner in the race, after having received over 270 Electoral College votes, the necessary threshold to become president. In his victory speech, Trump promised to make America great again, after an electoral campaign which divided the nation, and thanked his Democratic opponent for her service to the US. The successor to Democrat Barack Obama at the White House expressed readiness to take over and said he had great plans for the country that he will lead as of January 2017, among which doubling the economic growth rate and reconstructing the American infrastructure, to create millions of new jobs. The Republican tycoon has given assurances that the American Administration will pursue friendly policies with all countries willing to do the same. The United States will lay emphasis on its own interests, which will hold pride of place, and will be a fair partner to anyone, Trump also said. The Republicans will further keep the House of Representatives, the lower Chamber of Congress, and will continue to hold majority in the Senate.
REACTIONS TO THE US ELECTIONS RESULTS – Romanias President Klaus Iohannis has sent a letter of congratulations to the winner of the US presidential election, Donald Trump. Iohannis has emphasized the relationship between Bucharest and Washington, which has been rendered even more solid under the Strategic Partnership for the 21st century, a key element in the development of Romanias strategic profile within NATO and the EU. Iohannis has also emphasized Romanias strong commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in terms of security and to further being Americas trustworthy ally and strategic partner, fully aware of all the implications of this status. The Romanian President has expressed full availability to work together with the new US President in promoting their common goals as well as a strong and dynamic trans-Atlantic relationship. He has shown that the US can count on Romanias firm support in promoting democracy, human rights and the rule of law. In turn, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, has said that the EU will further cooperate with the US after Donald Trumps victory in the election. The European Commission President, Jean-Claude Junker, and the European Council President, Donald Tusk, have invited Donald Trump to attend a EU-US summit as soon as possible and have pointed out that boosting trans-Atlantic relations is more important than ever.
FINANCIAL MARKETS – Stock markets opened sharply lower on Wednesday, after Republican candidate Donald Trump won the race for the White House. The stock exchange in Tokyo dropped by some 5%, and those in Sidney and Hong Kong, by over 3 percentage points. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange also opened sharply lower, amidst the investors fears.
PAY RISES – Romanian MPs have today rejected the request field by the National Liberal Party to repeat voting on a series of laws, among which the law granting pay rises to some categories of state sector employees. The Liberals claim the respective bills have been signed into law without reaching the requested legal quorum, but the Standing Office has decided the voting unfolded correctly. The Liberal group has announced it will bring the issue to court and most likely than not it will contest the adoption of the laws at the Constitutional Court. In turn, PM Dacian Ciolos said yesterday he would contest, at the Constitutional Court, the law granting pay rises to employees in the education and healthcare systems, which has been forwarded to the president for endorsement. Ciolos has explained nobody had requested a standpoint from the government, prior to the vote, as required by the law, and no transparent debate on the draft had been held. (Translated by D. Vijeu)
